In the midst of this Bradley Wiggins media circlejerk, I'd like to raise this question seeing as Sir Chris Hoy obviously thinks that bike riding topples every other sporting achievement.

Personally I think thats way over the top. Something like winning all 4 tennis grand slams would rank as a much better achievement. With the tour de france as with long distance running or sprinting, theres just little skill involved. Its simply a test of who's the fittest and strongest, whereas in game sport like tennis or football, its not just about raw power, theres the mental and tactical side. The tour de france lacks depth imo.

Ridiculous. Different disciplines require different skills, tactics and physical demands, there won't ever a consensus on what is the 'greatest sporting accomplishment' as peoples' views will be influenced by their pre-existing bias.

(Original post by TheGrandmaster)
I'm not necessarily agreeing with Chris Hoy but if you think that the Tour has no mental or tactical side you really don't know enough to be commenting.

Of course everything has a mental and tactical side, even including 10 second 100m sprints, but games sports like tennis are have far a greater depth in this. I'm not sure how anyone can argue against this.

You're just discrediting yourself by describing the media attention paid to an already popular Olympic champion from a nation without a great road racing tradition winning cycling's most difficult and prestigious race as a 'circlejerk'. Even if you don't enjoy cycling, if you aren't able to appreciate why other people are praising this achievement then it strikes me that you lack the perspective to discuss the relative merits of different sports.

I think the idea of a "greatest sporting achievement" isn't realistic because the sporting world is so diverse and so many people put in huge efforts and achieve incredible things in pursuits that can't really be compared. But I can see why Hoy, as a cyclist, would describe it as such, and I feel like trying to belittle the media interest in Wiggins just because cycling isn't your favourite sport is just petty.

I wouldnt say necessarily agree with it being the greatest sporting achievement without some serious thought because there are so many factors to consider. However, as has already been said it is incredibly niave to believe professional road cycling involves no tactics; it is a highly tactical sport and is quite unique in the sheer number of differing mental games going on within the sport, with riders all having various different roles and goals.

It is certainly to be considered as one of the greatest achievements; to be able to ride at the speeds they consistently ride at, over three weeks with only two rest days, oh yeah and the small task of riding up mountains in the Pyrenees and the Alps, that takes some serious levels of fitness, stamina and determination. Far more than any footballer or tennis player requires.

I'm so chuffed for Wiggo and team Sky. It's great to have a British champion, a British one-two on the podium in Paris and not before time either! I have been a fan of the Tour de France for around fifteen years, I used to enjoy watching the likes of Lance Armstrong, Marco Pantani and Jan Ulrich battle it out but back then, the only British rider to get behind was David Millar whom obviously was never a contender for the general classification. It is about time this great sporting event gains the recognition it deserves, here within the UK.

In the midst of this Bradley Wiggins media circlejerk, I'd like to raise this question seeing as Sir Chris Hoy obviously thinks that bike riding topples every other sporting achievement.

Personally I think thats way over the top. Something like winning all 4 tennis grand slams would rank as a much better achievement. With the tour de france as with long distance running or sprinting, theres just little skill involved. Its simply a test of who's the fittest and strongest, whereas in game sport like tennis or football, its not just about raw power, theres the mental and tactical side. The tour de france lacks depth imo.

The tactics in the Tour de France are incredibly clever and deep - maybe you need to watch it more?

It's several competitions in one, and they all influence and affect each other.

And if you think being able to cycle 200 odd kilometres a day for 3 weeks isn't a great sporting achievement then I don't know what is!

It's hard to tell really given how dominant the Sky team have been overall...whilst he's proved he is the best rider (thanks to his time trialling), he never really got tested in the mountains (which again is testament to his team mates).

(Original post by :)ella)
The tactics in the Tour de France are incredibly clever and deep - maybe you need to watch it more?

It's several competitions in one, and they all influence and affect each other.

And if you think being able to cycle 200 odd kilometres a day for 3 weeks isn't a great sporting achievement then I don't know what is!

Compared to other sports, the skill and tactics are nowhere near as deep and sophistiated. Theres a reason why cycling as well as running sports have a reputation with doping, and thats because raw power alone is almost solely the determining factor between winning and losing. How often have you seen drugs offences in football or tennis? Virtually zero because athletes in those sports know that being successful is a whole lot more than just being the fittest and strongest so its not worth even bothering going on the juice.

and I don't think I said the tour de france isn't a great sporting acheivement , its just not the greatest

I would say it is a pretty big achievement but I can't say for sure it is the greatest. I mean you have to go through 20 ish stages, and through steep hills, time trials, flats as well and at the end have the lowest time, so it is very difficult. For me, I think individually sailing around the world would be up there for the greatest achievement.

(Original post by Chumbaniya)
You're just discrediting yourself by describing the media attention paid to an already popular Olympic champion from a nation without a great road racing tradition winning cycling's most difficult and prestigious race as a 'circlejerk'. Even if you don't enjoy cycling, if you aren't able to appreciate why other people are praising this achievement then it strikes me that you lack the perspective to discuss the relative merits of different sports.

I think the idea of a "greatest sporting achievement" isn't realistic because the sporting world is so diverse and so many people put in huge efforts and achieve incredible things in pursuits that can't really be compared. But I can see why Hoy, as a cyclist, would describe it as such, and I feel like trying to belittle the media interest in Wiggins just because cycling isn't your favourite sport is just petty.

I can describe it however I want, just like how you've interpreted that I'm somehow 'discrediting' myself. Oh well don't hesistate, let the blind hate from your anger flow as freely as possible

(Original post by Jack93o)
I can describe it however I want, just like how you've interpreted that I'm somehow 'discrediting' myself. Oh well don't hesistate, let the blind hate from your anger flow as freely as possible

(Original post by Jack93o)
Compared to other sports, the skill and tactics are nowhere near as deep and sophistiated. Theres a reason why cycling as well as running sports have a reputation with doping, and thats because raw power alone is almost solely the determining factor between winning and losing. How often have you seen drugs offences in football or tennis? Virtually zero because athletes in those sports know that being successful is a whole lot more than just being the fittest and strongest so its not worth even bothering going on the juice.

and I don't think I said the tour de france isn't a great sporting acheivement , its just not the greatest

The fact that the history of the sport has sadly been plagued with doping on a large scale could be argued to be due to the sport being just so damn grueling. Cycling over 2000 miles in three weeks, averaging about 25mph and climbing up some of the highest and steepest peaks in Europe is a little tougher than running around a pitch for ninety minutes a week. This doesnt justify the fact such large numbers have cheated however!
And just to reinforce previous statements, pro road cycling is riddled with tactics and if you took notice of the sport, you would realise there is far more to it than just who can cross the line first!